Child prostitution in Ibadan, Nigeria: Causes, perceived consequences and coping strategies

Abstract

The article examined the causes, perceived consequences and coping strategies of child prostitutes in Ibadan, Nigeria. We used a mixed research method to elicit data from child prostitutes, pimps, and parents selected via convenience and purposive sampling techniques. Specifically, we conducted 32 in-depth interviews, 12 key informant interviews, and administered 434 copies of the questionnaire. We used frequency counts and simple percentages to analyze the quantitative data while the qualitative data were analyzed in themes. We found that neighbourhood and peer influence, weak financial, emotional and spiritual support, molestation experience were some causes of child prostitution in Ibadan. Some of the perceived consequences of child prostitution were rare medical ailment, stigmatization, and death. Last, this study identified the use of condom and spiritual “devices” as some of the coping strategies of child prostitutes. The study concludes that children are not necessarily forced into prostitution, as championed by the existing school of thoughts on the subject. Instead, the girl-child could venture into prostitution because of weak institutional support from parents/guidance and the personal experience and decision of the girl-child. The study suggests that parents/guardians, governmental and non-governmental bodies and child rights organizations alike should deploy strategies to massively create awareness about the consequences of engaging in multiple sexual acts among the girl-child. This will help discourage potential child prostitutes in the country.